1918 in New Zealand

The jubilation over the end of World War I was overshadowed by the Spanish flu pandemic reaching New Zealand. In four months, it is estimated that 8000 New Zealanders died of the disease and between one third and one half of the population were infected.The death rate for Māori was estimated at 42 per thousand (approx 2,160 deaths) compared to 5.6 per 1000 (6,400 deaths) for European New Zealanders. [ [http://library.christchurch.org.nz/kids/nzdisasters/influenzaepidemic.asp Chch City Libraries website] gathered 17/07/2006]

Incumbents

Regal and Vice Regal

*Head of State - George V
*Governor-General - The Earl of Liverpool [Statistics New Zealand: "New Zealand Official Yearbook, 1990". ISSN 0078-0170 page 52]

Government

The 19th New Zealand Parliament continued for a fourth year as a grand coalition led by the Reform Party.
*Speaker of the House - Frederic Lang (Reform Party)
*Prime Minister - William Massey (Reform Party)
*Minister of Finance - Joseph Ward (Liberal Party)

Parliamentary opposition

* Leader of the Opposition - Joseph Ward (Liberal Party) Ward retained that title even though he was part of the coalition government. [Cite web|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/leaders-opposition.html|title=Elections NZ - Leaders of the Opposition|accessdate=2008-04-06]

Main centre leaders

*Mayor of Auckland - James Gunson
*Mayor of Hamilton - John William Ellis then John Robert Fow
*Mayor of Wellington - John Luke
*Mayor of Christchurch - Henry Holland
*Mayor of Dunedin - James John Clark

Events

* 19-20 March: Raetihi Forest Fire kills 3 and destroys over 150 homes. [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/D/DisastersAndMishapsFires/TheRaetihiConflagration/en Te ARa Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Disasters and Mishaps - The Raetihi Conflagration] ]
* Early October: The first cases of Spanish flu are recorded in Auckland. [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/influenza-pandemic-1918 New Zealand History online: The 1918 flu pandemic] ]
* 12 October: Troop ship R.M.S. "Niagara" returns, carrying a number of people ill with influenza. It is not quarantined. William Massey and Joseph Ward are aboard. Although later cited as the cause of the Spanish flu epidemic 6 persons had already died in the 3 days preceding its arrival. [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/rms-niagara New Zealand History online: RMS Niagara - the 1918 influenza pandemic] ]
* December: The flu epidemic eases. Over 8600 have died including at least 1260 Māori.

Undated

*Parliament moves into Parliament House although it is not yet completed. [ [http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/HstBldgs/History/Resources/3/6/e/36e40376aa2842e6bcce0a4557ebf2bc.htm New Zealand Parliament - Parliament timeline] ]
*Aviation Act 1918, to control aviation in New zealand, is passed by Parliament.Rendel, David (1975) "Civil Aviation in New Zealand: An Illustrated History". Wellington. A.H. & A.W.Reed. ISBN 0 589 00905 2]

Arts and literature

See 1918 in art, 1918 in literature,

Music

See: 1918 in music

Film

See: , 1918 in film , List of New Zealand feature films , Cinema of New Zealand,

Appointments and awards

See: New Zealand Order of Merit , Order of New Zealand
*Archbishop of New Zealand
*Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia , see appointments to Diocese

port

* See: 1918 in sports ,
*Rugby: Ranfurly Shield
*Cricket: Various Tours, New Zealand cricket team
*Golf: New Zealand Open , Check in overseas tourniments.
*Horse racing: See , list winners.
*Rugby league New Zealand national rugby league team
*Soccer: Chatham Cup ,

Births

* 7 January: Colin Snedden, cricket player and commentator
* 7 April: Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, soldier, V.C. winner
* 27 June: Edgar Kain, ("Cobber" Kain) first RAF pilot to win DFC in WWII.

* Lloyd Geering, theologian.
* Arthur Kinsella, politician. [ [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/story.cfm?a_id=65&objectid=3554466 Arthur Kinsella Obituary] ]
* Frank O'Flynn, politician.
* Logan Sloane, politician.

Deaths

* 31 July: Henry Suter, zoologist.
* 4 September: Robert Fletcher, politician.
* 11 September: Desmond J. Scott, fighter pilot. [ [http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/article.asp?id=scott_dj NZ fighter museum] ]
* 18 November: David Buick, politician. ["New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984" by J. O. Wilson (1985, Government Printer, Wellington) ]
* 10 December: Francis Petre, architect.

* Harry Bedford, politician.
* Charles Johnston, politician.
* Victor Spencer, last soldier to be executed in World War I

ee also

*List of years in New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand history
*History of New Zealand
*Military history of New Zealand
*Timeline of environmental history of New Zealand
*Timeline of New Zealand's links with Antarctica

"For world events and topics in 1918 not specifically related to New Zealand see": 1918

References